stairs, falling limply at Elsie's feet. She stooped over the
terrifying figure and seized the man's weapon. Her eyes shone with a
strange light. She felt her arms tingle. A wonderful power seemed to
flow through her body, like a gush of strong wine. She was assured
that she, unaided, could beat down all the puny, despicable creatures
who barred the path to her lover. She vaulted over the writhing form
of the Alaculof, and made to climb the stairs, but Christobal,
admirably cool, fired again and brought another Indian to his knees.
The second Indian's fall caused Frascuelo to trip; and the Chilean,
locked rib to rib with a somewhat sturdy opponent, rolled into the
saloon. Elsie drew back just in time, or the two men would have
knocked her down. Even as they were turning over on the steep steps
she saw Frascuelo's knife seek that favorite junction of neck and
collar-bone which Christobal had said was so well understood by those
of his ilk. At the foot of the stairs the Indian lay still, and
Frascuelo tried to rise. She helped him gladly. The awfulness of this
killing no longer appalled her. Each dead or disabled Indian was one
less obstacle between her and Courtenay. A third time the revolver
barked, but Christobal missed. It did not matter greatly, as
Tollemache had shortened his bar, using it twice as a miner delves at a
rock. But the doctor did not forget that he had only three cartridges
left, two of which were bespoke long before the fight began.

At last, then, the way was clear. Elsie would have mounted the stairs
but an appealing hand detained her.

"I cannot walk, senorita. My leg has given way. And we can do no good
there. They are all down."

A death chill gripped her heart at Frascuelo's words.

"All down!" she repeated, white-lipped.

"I think so," said he, blankly. The man was dazed by the ordeal
through which he had passed.

As if to answer and refute him, Joey's hysterical yelp sounded from a
point close at hand, and they distinctly heard Courtenay's loud command:

"This way, Boyle! Rally to the bridge!"

"You are mistaken!" shrieked Elsie, wrenching herself free from the
Chilean's grasp. Nothing short of violence would stop her now.
Tollemache darted out into the darkness, and she mounted the steps two
at a time. Christobal panted by her side. He was determined not to be
parted from her: if necessary, he would drag her away from any doubtful
encounter on the battle-field